PAKISTAN: Sacrifices in fighting terrorism need recognition, says Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband

Record ID: 561777

  • Title: PAKISTAN: Sacrifices in fighting terrorism need recognition, says Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband
  • Date: 9th July 2009
  • Summary: MULTAN, PAKISTAN (JULY 8, 2009) (REUTERS) SHRINE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVID MILIBAND ALONG WITH PAKISTANI FOREIGN MINISTER SHAH MEHMOOD QURESHI WALKING TO SHRINE GARLANDED MILIBAND AND QURESHI OFFERING SHEET TO GRAVE MILIBAND AND QURESHI OFFERING FLOWER SHEET TO TOMB MILIBAND AND QURESHI TALKING MILIBAND LOOKING AT THE INTERIOR OF SHRINE AS SUFI SONG WITH DRUM BEAT IS BEING HEARD MILIBAND AND QURESHI HOLDING JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVlD MILIBAND SAYING: "In respect of the Pakistan security forces, I think it's very important that we recognize and salute the level of sacrifice have been taken by the Pakistani security forces, not just in the last seven weeks but over the last two years." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVID MILIBAND SAYING: "We know what the insurgency can do if it provides an incubator for terrorism. And that terrorism can strike in the United States or in the UK but it can also strike in Pakistan." MILIBAND AND QURESHI ON PODIUM
  • Embargoed: 24th July 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Pakistan
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAC6LO09PHCUBWQLH6AHKF8D0EJ
  • Story Text: British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who is on a three-day visit to Pakistan, on Wednesday (July 8) stressed the need for recognition of sacrifices made by Pakistan in fighting terrorism.
    After an alarming expansion of militant influence in northwest Pakistan, the army went on the offensive in Swat two months ago.
    U.S. officials, fearful for Pakistan's stability and the safety of its nuclear arsenal, welcomed the action.
    The military said the offensive in Swat had entered its final phase after 158 soldiers had been killed.
    But no top Taliban leaders have been among the approximately 1,600 militants the army has reportedly killed, leading to fears the fighters could re-emerge.
    Independent casualty estimates are not available.
    "In respect of the Pakistan security forces, I think it's very important that we recognize and salute the level of sacrifice have been taken by the Pakistani security forces, not just in the last seven weeks but over the last two years," the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told reporters in Multan at a joint news conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
    Qureshi told reporters that Pakistan has incurred heavy losses in the war against terrorism.
    The military says it is nearing the end of the offensive in Swat, a former tourist valley northwest of Islamabad, although soldiers are encountering pockets of fighters.
    While Pakistan battles the Taliban on its side of the Afghan border, thousands of U.S. Marines have launched an offensive against the Afghan Taliban in the southern Afghan province of Helmand.
    "We know what the insurgency can do if it provides an incubator for terrorism. And that terrorism can strike in the United States or in the UK but it can also strike in Pakistan," said Miliband.
    The fighting has forced nearly 2 million people from their homes and although public backing for the offensive is solid there is a danger the suffering of the displaced could sap some support.
    U.N. Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes visited some of the displaced people and told reporters Pakistan needed to ensure appropriate conditions, especially security, were in place before encouraging people to go home.
    Many displaced people are wary about going back.
    Earlier in the day, Miliband visited a famous shrine in the saints' city of Multan and paid his respects by laying a wreath of flowers.
    Multan is also the home town of Pakistan's foreign minister Shaha Mehmood Qureshi.
    He also visited Bahauddin Zakria University, the main university in Multan and a religious school.
    On Tuesday, Miliband visited a camp for displaced people, telling them they were at the "sharp end" of Pakistan's struggle.
    U.S. drones attacked militants in northwest Pakistan twice on Wednesday, killing more than 30 fighters, security officials said, while the army said the Taliban chief in Swat had been wounded.
    The attacks by the pilotless U.S. aircraft were in the South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, a stronghold of Pakistani Taliban leader and al Qaeda ally Baitullah Mehsud.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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